Bronx pol calls for restrictions to halt porn-viewing on city kiosks

Gary Kane

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. urges the use of filters.

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One of the city’s elected officials is particularly alarmed by reports that Wi-Fi kiosks are being used by some people to view pornography and urges the use of filters or other restrictions to halt the abuse.

“After learning about the inappropriate and over-extended usage of LinkNYC kiosks throughout the city, in particular in Manhattan, it is time to make adjustments that will allow all of our city residents to use this service safely and comfortably," Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said in a post on his website.

The most recent incident occurred Sunday morning in the Murry Hill neighborhood, where a woman walking her dog spotted a homeless person masturbating at a kiosk, the New York Post reported.

Diaz, who has hinted about running in the next New York City mayoral election, said the kiosks could be easily adjusted to block porn.

"The technology is there for them to filter out a few adult entertainment sites," he said.

Diaz added that the city should also consider restricting the amount of time a person can use the free Wi-Fi service.

"There should be a way where you can register like you do with Wi-Fi with an email address and have that timed out and then you can't log on for x amount of time," he said.

The kiosks, which feature free Wi-Fi, a tablet with web access and two USB charging ports, have primarily been installed in obsolete telephone booths. For emergencies, a red button links the user to a 911 operator.